A catastrophic fire erupted at Hillside Endarasha Academy, a private boarding school located in Nyeri County, central Kenya, East Africa, on September 5, 2024. The inferno, which engulfed the boys’ dormitory, resulted in the tragic death of at least 21 students and inflicted injuries on dozens of others.
The fire began unexpectedly late in the evening on Thursday in the boys’ dormitory, which was home to over 150 students. The exact cause of the fire remains uncertain and is currently being investigated. The area has been sealed off by Kenyan authorities who have embarked on a comprehensive investigation into the incident.
Resila Onyango, a spokesperson for the Kenya National Police Service, stated that the deceased students were tragically “burnt beyond recognition.”
Hillside Endarasha Academy is a co-ed private boarding school with a total of 824 students. Among them, 156 boys and approximately 160 girls are boarders, while the rest attend as day scholars.
Kenyan President William Ruto has expressed his deep condolences and referred to the incident as “devastating.” He has tasked the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure the accountability of those responsible.
Rigathi Gachagua, the Deputy President, emphasized the significance of the missing students, stating that their absence should not be immediately construed as death or injury. He appealed to parents who may have taken their children from the school without informing the administration to report their actions. Gachagua asked these parents to inform school authorities about their children’s whereabouts to facilitate an accurate headcount of all students.
The Kenya Red Cross is playing an active role in the response efforts. They have established a tracking desk at the school to aid in finding the missing students and are offering psychosocial support services to impacted students, teachers, and families.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki has reiterated the government’s commitment to a thorough investigation into the incident. He assured that authorities would strive to uncover the truth behind the fire and pledged that any individuals or groups whose actions or inactions may have led to the tragic loss of life will be held accountable.
School fires have become a frequent problem in Kenya, commonly linked to arson and overcrowding. A similar tragedy occurred at a boarding school in Nairobi in 2017, where at least nine students lost their lives. Another incident in 2016 at a girls’ high school in Nairobi’s Kibera district also claimed nine lives.
The regular occurrence of such incidents has raised serious questions about the safety and security measures in Kenyan schools. Between 2015 and 2016, approximately 350 schools in the country experienced fires, underscoring the pressing need for improved safety protocols and infrastructure.